The Los Angeles Clippers suffered a huge loss on Tuesday night when starting guard Chauncey Billups tore his left Achilles tendon, losing his for the rest of the shortened season. The five-time all star suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ win over the Orlando Magic when he tried to change direction after missing a three-point shot. The 35 year old player was claimed off waivers in December by the Clippers just before they traded for former New Orleans Hornet player Chris Paul.

The combination of Paul, Billups, and Griffin helped launch the once faltering organization to a first-place start in the Pacific Division and turned them into contenders. With the loss of Billups, one can’t help but wonder whether the Clippers can keep the momentum up as competition starts to heat up.

During a television interview, Billups told reporters ”It was tough. It was deflating. The team is coming together and what we have going on is exciting. To know that this season is over, it hurt.” This tragic injury also rules out any chances of the veteran player playing in this years Olympic, after he had been named to the 20-player pool.

Billups was averaging 15 points and four assists in 20 starts for the Pacific division-leading Clippers this season, which was shortened to 66 games because of the lockout.

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Signed, Isidori Mtabo